Preview — Crowning Glory
by Joyce Carol Thomas

Crowning Glory

hairagiftwrappedribbonedcurledtiedWith these joyous poems, National Book Award-winning author Joyce Carol Thomas lovingly celebrates the beauty and distinction of African-American hair. Accompanied by artist Brenda Joysmith's soft, lush portraits of women and girls of all ages, Thomas's lyrical language shares what is special about hair that-is dreadlocked, braided, adornehairagiftwrappedribbonedcurledtiedWith these joyous poems, National Book Award-winning author Joyce Carol Thomas lovingly celebrates the beauty and distinction of African-American hair. Accompanied by artist Brenda Joysmith's soft, lush portraits of women and girls of all ages, Thomas's lyrical language shares what is special about hair that-is dreadlocked, braided, adorned, or worn free. The poems and images rejoice in the spirit of individuality that comes from having your unique crowning glory....more

Community Reviews

Combs, curling irons, hair nets, scarves, hats, wigs-- all the significant accoutrements are here in Joyce Carol Thomas's poems about what my daughter and I call "African hair", as are the significant places: from the kitchen to Grandma's Sunday dinner, and from the beauty shop to the swimming pool. I've always loved Brenda Joysmith's paintings, which portray such love for children who look like the kids who grew up in my family, went to my school, and played on my block. It's an evocative colleCombs, curling irons, hair nets, scarves, hats, wigs-- all the significant accoutrements are here in Joyce Carol Thomas's poems about what my daughter and I call "African hair", as are the significant places: from the kitchen to Grandma's Sunday dinner, and from the beauty shop to the swimming pool. I've always loved Brenda Joysmith's paintings, which portray such love for children who look like the kids who grew up in my family, went to my school, and played on my block. It's an evocative collection that I know today's African American girls will still relate to....more

Joyce Carol Thomas is an internationally renowned author who received the National Book Award for her first novel, Marked By Fire, and a Coretta Scott King Honor for her first picture book, Brown Honey In Broomwheat Tea. Her other titles include I Have Heard Of A Land, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book; The Gospel Cinderella; cCrowning Glory; Gingerbread Days; and A Gathering Of Flowers. Ms. ThomasJoyce Carol Thomas is an internationally renowned author who received the National Book Award for her first novel, Marked By Fire, and a Coretta Scott King Honor for her first picture book, Brown Honey In Broomwheat Tea. Her other titles include I Have Heard Of A Land, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book; The Gospel Cinderella; cCrowning Glory; Gingerbread Days; and A Gathering Of Flowers. Ms. Thomas lives in Berkeley, California. ...more